Simple CL Rules to Live By

We’ve all heard the so-called ‘rules’ that nobody follows anymore. (Don’t wear white after Labor Day, anyone?) Here is a list of rules you’ll actually pay attention to – from real college girls, CL interns, a fashion icon, and our very own CEO.

1. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Even the fake ones.

2. “Pluck your eyebrows every day or every other day for a cleaned up look and also to avoid having to pay for eyebrow waxes.” – Lauren, Bethany College, CL Intern

3. Great-fitting jeans are a staple of any girl’s wardrobe.

4. “Carry a Tide Pen in case you spill something on your shirt.” – Shelly, College Lifestyles CEO

5. Always wear sunscreen. No exceptions.

6. “Always take off your makeup before you go to bed.” – Roselyn, New York University

7. Floss.

8. “Keep moisturized – face and body. I feel like people moisturize the face and not the body, but the body ages too.” – Nicole, Georgetown University

9. If you wear leggings as pants, make sure they’re not see-through.

10. “Keep a facial exfoliator around and exfoliate your face 1-2 times a week to avoid dry, flaky skin as the weather gets colder.” -  Lauren, Bethany College, CL Intern

11. Buy foundation and concealer that works on your skin. Make sure to test them in natural light.

12. “I think that everyone should have a statement piece. Something that they wear (frequently or not) that everyone associates with them and is the best descriptor of their personality.” – Ellen, Michigan State University, CL Intern

13.  Boots are great walking shoes.

14. Dress for the weather – think layers!

15. Don’t wear makeup to the gym. It clogs your pores when you sweat and causes acne.

16. “Always bring flats! Gap makes cute ones that fold up and come in a little pouch, perfect for a night out to throw in your purse!” – Emily, SUNY Oswego, CL Intern

17. Red lipstick flatters everyone. Just make sure it’s a red that suits your skin tone.

18. ” Splurge on more expensive items for your staple pieces (Winter coat, nice dress shoes, fall boots, etc.) & bargain hunt for your basics at places like Forever 21 & Target – plain tees, zip-up hoodies, flats, etc.” – Lauren, Bethany College, CL Intern

19. Never wear an outfit that you’re not comfortable in, no matter the opinions of others.

20. “Carry water at all times with you.” – Shelly, College Lifestyles CEO

21. Take proper care of your shoes to prolong their life.

22. Don’t buy heels unless you can stand in them for more than an hour.

23. Use a heat-protective spray when you blow dry your hair.

24. Know what makes you look amazing, and wear it on the days that you need an ego boost.

25. Switch the side that you carry your bag on to avoid back problems.

26. A great smile is the best accessory.

27. “Drink lots of water for minimal bloat and healthier skin, and use chapstick for the best makeup application!” – Bethany, Ohio University, CL Intern

28. Never put lingerie in the dryer.

29. “A blazer or cardigan brings any outfit a few steps up.” – Sarah, UNC-Chapel Hill

30. A wristlet is a clubbing must-have – cute, small, and you’re guaranteed not to lose it.

31. “Treat your hair to a leave-in conditioning treatment 2-3 times a month to help repair all the damage done by heat styling products.” – Lauren, Bethany College, CL Intern

32. A great set of lingerie does wonders for your confidence. Even if you’re the only one who sees it.

33. You are beautiful without makeup. Don’t be afraid to go outside bare-faced.

34. “Incorporate a bit of your personality into what you wear.” – Michelle, Scripps College

35. Well-groomed nails are the hallmark of a classy woman.

36. A bright umbrella makes a rainy day that much better.

37. Dress for the body you have, not the body you want. Remember: clothes are made to make you look good, not the other way around.

38. “Show legs or upper body (cleavage), not both. For example, if wearing a mini skirt, focus on legs and wear a more modest top; if you’re wearing a longer skirt/dress, go for a halter/tank/strapless look.” – Shelly, College Lifestyles CEO

39. Travel. Be inspired.

40. “Give your nails a break from nail polish for a week or 2 each month to avoid them turning yellow. Use a nail buffer to make nails appear naturally shiny.” – Lauren, Bethany College, CL intern

41. Waterproof mascara. Always. You never know when you might burst into tears.

42. The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good, on you!” -Coco Chanel

43. Wear what YOU want to wear, whether or not it’s on trend.

44. “Use gradual tanning lotion such as Jergen’s for a natural glow AND moisturizer instead of the hitting the tanning beds.” – Lauren, Bethany College, CL Intern

45. Dress for class. It may be tempting to walk out the door in sweats, but you’ll be more attentive and less likely to jump back into bed.

46. Work with your natural hair texture every once in a while.

47. “Never spend loads of money on plain T-shirts. Why waste money on a plain T-shirt when you could purchase a dress or something that would make your wardrobe stand out?” – Michele, Misericordia University, CL Intern

48. Wear a watch.

49. Pearls class up any outfit.

50. You will have great outfits and “oh-my-god-why-did-I-wear-that-moments.” Learn from them. Don’t take it too seriously. Have fun.

Sasha Graffagna is a junior Journalism and Comparative Literature major at New York University. She is currently studying abroad in Buenos Aires.

Top Ten Phone Apps for a CLassy School Year!

Having a smart phone makes your life some much…well smarter! If you just got a smart phone or have had one for a while, here’s the top ten apps that I would recommend to start your semester off right!

1. Taskos: This program is great for making to-do-lists, and crossing things off! If you’re a list person like me, you’ll have alot of fun swiping off the stuff you already did and watching it disappear. It’s a great tool to keep you organized throughout the day. It’ll even let you sort your to do list any way you want!

2.Tip Calculator: CLassy coeds always leave a tip. And this app will help you figure out how much! If you’re going out to dinner with a large posse, the last thing you’ll want to do guest-imate the tip. Download one of these and you’ll know just how much to tip that cute waiter who gave you the extra hot sauce.

3. I-Coach: I’m always thinking about bikini season, even if its January! I-Coach  will push you, pace you, and keep track of your fitness goals. It’s literally like having your own personal trainer in the palm of your hand! You can even loop your phone’s playlist to use during your workouts.

4. Pandora: Speaking of music, want to hear some tunes but don’t want to spend time downloading each song? Well there’s a friendly way out. Pandora is an online radio program that allows you to create your own station based on your favorite artist. And the cool thing is, they’re pretty good at predicting what kind of music you’ll like. It’s worth a try!

5.Weather Bug: My favorite virtual weather man! Not only does it adjust the weather to your exact location, its constantly updated for flood warnings, missing people,  natural disasters. Pretty cool, huh?

6. Words with Friends: Got time to kill? Well here’s a great way to play with friends when you’re on the go! Words with Friends is an interactive version of scrabble that will keep your mind active while you’re standing in line at the dining hall.

7. Angry Birds: If your feeling down and need some time to relax, this will be your go-to game. Help the little birds get their eggs back from the pigs who want to gobble them up! You’ll be addicted once you start playing.

8. Daily Beauty Tips: Let’s be honest, even CLassy interns don’t have time to get dolled up every morning. But if you’re looking  to  spice up your look, Daily Beauty Tips has great advice from celebrity stylists that you can easily fit into beauty your routine.

9. Recipes: Trying to impress the cutie down the hall? Download an app that lets you search for easy and dorm-friendly recipes. You’d be surprised what you make without a kitchen.

10. Gas Buddy: Need to fill ‘er up? Gas Buddy offers a frequently updated list of gas stations in your town or within your area code. It lists the prices of the gas and the addresses of the gas station. You can even loop the program up to your phone’s GPS and learn the way to the gas station of your choice! Great for those road trips to and from school.

I have use all of these apps on a regular basis. They are super convenient, especially for CLassy ladies always on the go. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Martha-Raye Adjei is an environmental studies major with a concentration in Sustainable Apparel at the University of Delaware. She hopes to become a journalist and sustainable apparel designer. In her spare time she likes to read, swim and watch TV

A Classy Co-Ed’s Guide to Roommates

Your roommate probably knows you better than anybody else. She sees you right when you wake up in morning with messy hair right to the end of the day when your head hits the pillow. It is amazing how close you and your roommate can become simply because you see each other right down to the nitty gritty. What happens when the little quirks start to bother you? You have to share a room with this girl and you have to keep your annoyances composed. Here are a few tips that may help any roommate dilemma:

• It’s all about communication! For example, if she is constantly leaving her clothes around and it bugs you, the best thing to do is to politely tell her. This way she won’t get offended or feel attacked and you won’t get so annoyed. It will make it much worse if you bottle up inside and she probably will not even realize the problem.

• Be accepting! Everyone is not the same; you could be a neat freak or be the sloppy roommate. Just as much as you would hope she should adapt to your routines and ways, you need to be willing to adapt to hers as well.

• Respect your roomie! Always ask to use something that is hers. Even if to you it is no big deal, to her it may be. It cannot hurt to ask before borrowing her favorite skirt or even something simple like a pen! It will make her feel more respected and therefore treat you the same.

• Be polite! “You are so messy!!” or “It kinda bothers me when you don’t clean up after yourself. Would you mind next time?” Which one do you think comes across as less argumentative? If you approach the problems more sophisticated she will be more accepting of the issue and more likely to clean up next time.

• Set rules! There are many issues that can arise when sharing a room such as visitors, study habits, bedtimes and quiet times, what channels to watch. These are all issues that may seem minor, but when facing them can be difficult. You should work out rules such as no visitors after a certain time or whether to sleep with the TV on or not.

• Treat others the way you expect to be treated! This rule comes in handy for almost any situation. If you expect kindness and a fabulous roommate experience – show her how it’s done!

The key to any successful relationship is communication! Be honest in all matters, it will help to create a vibrant, genuine, happy environment for both you and your roommate. I hope these tips will help you in any roommate problem. Even if you started off on the wrong foot, it is never too late to fix it! Who knows, she could be your new best friend!

Do you have a roommate story to share? Please let us know all about it!

Sharon Tendler is a junior at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She is majoring in business marketing and minoring in graphic design. Sharon is a proud sister of Sigma Sigma Sigma. She enjoys hanging out with friends and family, scrapbooking, texting, and watching movies!

CL’s Simple Ways to Green Your Beauty Routine

Save the environment! But how? Transform yourself into an eco chick by greening your beauty routine with these four simple steps.

1.Recycling isn’t just for cans and bottles – makeup containers can be recycled too. Origins will recycle any cosmetics containers regardless of the brand. MAC will even give you a free lipstick, as long as you return six empty MAC containers. Some makeup companies go farther – Aveda collects and reuses bottle cap, which can’t be recycled in most places in the United States. Even if you can’t get to any of these stores, review the recycling guidelines in your city to see what containers you can recycle at home. Want to do more? Try buying from environmentally progressive makeup companies, like LUSH. LUSH sells unwrapped soap and shampoo bars, so you can bring and reuse your own containers.

2. Avoid products tested on animals. Each year, animals die so that what you put on your face is ‘safe.’ But there are plenty of humane ways to ensure safety – just ask the European Union, which banned animal-tested cosmetics products in 2009 (with certain exceptions). There are plenty of well-known companies that don’t test on animals, such as Tarte and Urban Decay. For a more complete list, check out this link.

3. Think your makeup is safe? Think again. There is no regulatory body that approves what chemicals go into your makeup, so you might be putting carcinogens and other toxins on your face each morning. The best way to avoid these risks is to educate yourself. The Environmental Working Group has a great guide here to the chemicals you should be watching out for.

4. The simplest way to be more environmentally friendly is to buy less stuff. But if you’re a beauty junkie, this is easier said than done. Get your fix and improve the environment by trying your hand at DIY beauty. Lip glosses are cheap and easy to make. Find instructions here.

What are some ways you green your beauty routine? Let us know in the comments!

Day 29: Primp and Prepare for the First Day!

It’s always fun to pick out your outfit the night before your first day of school, so why not make a party out of it? Invite over your bffs and turn your closets into a shopping mall. Have every girl bring a few outfits and swap items with each other. Getting primped for the first day of college is especially fun because you get to choose a different outfit for every day of the week. Here CL gives you some tips on how to primp and prepare for your first week back on campus.

Primp

• Outfit: Choose something that’s comfortable and cute. You don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard to impress people, so pick an outfit that would work for everyday but add in a fun pair of shoes or statement bag to show off your unique personality.
• Hair: I recommend you wash and blow dry your hair the night before. Decide if you want to wear your hair curly or straight and partially style it at night. My hair always looks best when I prep it at night; it gives it a great natural slept-in look. Make sure you have a ponytail holder handy for unexpected weather changes and easy hair fixes.
• Face: Do your usual nightly face wash routine and be sure to moisturize. Apply a soothing face mask to relax you and leave your skin feeling energized and fresh.
• Mani/Pedi: Set up a nail station at your house and enjoy your friends’ company while making your nails and toes look great. Pick a fun, new color that will compliment your first day outfits.

Prepare

• Purse: Pick a purse that’s big enough to fit a few folders and notebooks so you don’t have to carry a backpack on the first day. Here’s a quick list of what to pack in your purse…
  • Wallet
  • Phone
  • Room key
  • ID card
  • Class schedule
  • Agenda
  • Map (or just ask the cute guy walking by where to go!)
  • Notebook
  • Folder
  • Pens/pencils
  • Highlighter
  • Lip gloss
  • Lotion
  • Perfume
  • Nail file
  • Mirror
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Tampons
  • Tissues
  • Gum
  • Mints
  • Water bottle
  • Snack

• Agenda: It’s important to buy an agenda to help keep you organized. Bring it to the first day of class and fill out important dates like tests, projects, quizzes, and even days off. Use your agenda for school, work, extracurriculars and social events. When everything’s written down, it’s easier to stay on track and get things done.
• Relax: Before school begins and your to-do list piles up, make sure you relax. Do something you love on the night before school and make sure you don’t rush around. This should be a day to unwind and have some fun before it’s time to hit the books.
• Sleep: Get a good night’s sleep. There’s nothing worse than waking up for an 8am class on 4 hours of sleep. Yes, coffee can help, but it’s better to get a good 7-9 hour beauty rest on your comfy cozy bed.

I hope these tips help you classy co-eds prepare for back-to-school! Share your own primping techniques below and send us your first day outfit pictures at info@collegelifestyles.org.

Erica Avesian is an intern at College Lifestyles(TM). She is a junior communications major and writing minor at the University of Michigan. Erica is excited for her first day of school and can’t wait to move back to Ann Arbor and be reunited with her best friends!

Ellen Ratliff – Your new classy Spartan CL Intern!

Name: Ellen Ratliff

School: Michigan State University

Major: Dietetics with a specialization in Health Promotions

Year in studies: Junior

I have been a College Lifestyles Intern since: August 2011

Organizational Involvement: Spartans Fighting Cancer, Relay for Life, Food and Nutrition Association, MSU Student Food Bank, Honors College

(I’m the one on the right.)

Pets: 2 cats (Lily and Iris)

My friends would say I am: Organized, Driven, Smart, Punctual

My style is: Basic and Flowy – Most every day I’m in a t-shirt and jeans

My go-to accessory: Hair ties

My favorite snacks: Apples, bananas, oatmeal, carrots and hummus

My hobbies include: Running, reading, knitting, cooking

Favorite movies: Waitress, Princess Bride, Elf

I have a slight obsession with: Sweatshirts, reality TV

I dislike: Bugs, cold weather

On my desk you will find: Water bottle, rainbow pens, post-it notes, digital camera, Altoids

My favorite form of social media: Twitter

MAC vs PC: PC for life!

Coffee vs Tea: Tea; green or herbal, but I roll with just plain water most days

Coke vs Pepsi: Neither, I don’t drink soda!

My definition of a classy co-ed: A classy co-ed is someone who stays strong, confident, and in-control even during a stressful situation, while at the same time allowing themselves to feel sad/angry/etc. when the situation calls for it. It’s not about having the best outfit, a supermodel bod, or perfect hair, but working with what you have and flaunting what you’ve got! A classy co-ed can relate with everyone (or at least tries to) and doesn’t shy away from a situation just because it is a little uncomfortable. They are well-rounded academically and socially and know how to balance class, work, and friends.

Why I am excited about being an intern with College Lifestyles: I’m passionate about living a healthy, balanced life and want to share what I’ve learned with everyone who cares to listen to what I have to say!

—————————————————————————————–

Ellen Ratliff is a Health Writer at College Lifestyles ™. She is a junior at Michigan State University, majoring in Dietetics with a specialization in Health Promotions. She loves working out, making a mess in the kitchen, and singing off-key at the top of her lungs.

Re-Visit Returning CL Intern Debra Schreiber!

Name: Debra Schreiber

School: Duquesne University

Major: Journalism & Spanish

Year in studies: Senior

I have been a College Lifestyles Intern since: Summer ‘11

Greek Affiliation:  Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority, Beta Delta Chapter

Organizational Involvement: Chapter Editor, various student media, Society of Professional Journalists (Student Member) and Golden Key International Honor Society.

Pets: My beautiful Sheltie, Skye!

My friends would say I am: Driven, caring, funny, smart and sweet.

My style is: Laid back, comfortable and Picasso – You’ll generally find me in jeans or one of the many comfy AE dresses I own …and it will usually be in a shade of blue.

My go-to accessory: Pearls – always classy!

My favorite snacks: Oreos, Vanilla Wafers and Cheez-its.

My hobbies include: Dancing, kickboxing and reading.

Favorite movies: The entire “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Because I Said So,” “Despicable Me,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “A Walk to Remember.”

I have a slight obsession with: Chocolate, polka dots and the color blue.

I dislike: The Philadelphia Flyers. And cats.

On my desk you will find: Pictures of my friends, a note from my Little, ticket stubs to hockey games and concerts, and my “AP Stylebook.”

My favorite form of social media: is Facebook.

MAC vs PC: I’m a PC.

Coffee vs Tea: Neither!

Coke vs Pepsi: Definitely Pepsi.

My definition of a classy co-ed: An undergraduate woman who is very much the modern woman: a hard worker academically, a social girl who spends time with family and friends, someone who cares about their lifestyle and health and, overall, an independent spirit!

Why I am excited about being an intern with College Lifestyles: I had an absolutely fabulous time interning for CL this summer and am excited to be back for the fall!

Debra Schreiber is a returning CL intern from summer 2011. She is a senior at Duquesne University, studying Journalism and Spanish. When she’s not studying, you can usually find her at the gym, reading or catching up on her favorite shows.

Day 11: Study Habits Day

College is an exciting time – the parties, the friends, the boys. But don’t forget that you are at college for a reason: to work! Let CL guide you to straight-As with these helpful study tips.

Get a planner.My sister once told me about how she walked into class and was handed a test that nobody knew about. The teacher had put the test in the syllabus but hadn’t reminded her class, and everyone had forgotten about it. The moral? Get a planner and write everything down – classes, homework, club meetings, etc. If you have a major test or presentation, add a note a few weeks before to begin preparing. This way, you won’t double-book events and you’ll never let a test sneak up on you.

Go to class. (cost per credit x # of credits you take) / # of hours of class = $ you waste for each class you skip. You (or your parents) are paying a lot of money to be here, so go to class. Bring a cup of coffee, sit near the front, and try to pay attention. Falling asleep? Look for a question to ask to keep you awake.

Know your professor. It’s tough to distinguish yourself in a 400-person lecture class. The person who does is often the brownnoser who asks a million questions right at the end of lecture. But you can get your professor to remember your name without incurring the wrath of your classmates by going to office hours. Get feedback on your paper, ask a question about the reading, or ask for elaboration on a point made in lecture. Do this with your TAs, too. Remember: TAs give you grades, but professors give you recommendations.

Be engaged. As a freshman, you will most likely be required to take core courses. You will hate some of these courses, and that’s OK. Some people try to get out of these requirements out of the way freshman year. This is a bad idea. To avoid burnout, take at least one course you like every semester. You’ll start to get a feel  for what major you want, and if you hate what you choose you still have time to change it. By having at least one class you like each term, you’ll stay engaged, interested, and motivated, which leads to better grades.

Ask for help. If you’re struggling in a class, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Too intimidated by your professor? Most schools have a writing center, and offer study sessions for other classes. They can also help you find a tutor if you’re really struggling. You may be a little embarrassed at first. But would you rather get an F?

Use all your resources. There are several books and websites devoted to teaching students how to do well at college. Browse through your local bookstore and pick one out that looks appealing. I like Cal Newport’s How to Win at College, which is packed with study tips as well as general college advice. You can check out his blog here.

What are your favorite study tips and tricks? Let us know in the comments!

Sasha Graffagna is a rising junior at New York University. She loves these study tips and hopes you do too!

DAY 3: CL’s College Countdown Helps Plan Your Summer Parting Party

Parting ways with your friends from home can be a bittersweet experience – make it more sweet than bitter by using this CL guide to planning a classy summer’s end party!

1.      Setting a date.

Setting a date can be the most difficult part of planning your summer party. With friends at work, internships, or on vacation, getting everyone together takes tactful planning. First, consider what you already know about your friends’ schedules – when do they usually go on family vacations? When do they usually go back to school? Then, send out a text or Facebook message asking when everyone could be available, tossing out a few date ideas that are good for you. Make sure that you do this a month or so before you think the party will be – this way, girls with work will have time to request off. If some have not responded to your messages within 5 days, give them a phone call. At this point, you should have a rough idea of a date – so set it. Let your friends know by giving them a phone call. You could also create a Facebook event – just remember that some people check theirs’ more frequently than others. If a few people cannot make it, don’t sweat it – try to set aside time for a lunch or phone date. 

2.      Thinking of a theme.

What theme best represents the spirit of your group? What is one memory that you all share? What is one thing you all have in common? Asking these kinds of questions will lead you to a theme idea that everyone will love and remember. For example – about two years ago I hosted a Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants/Disney Princess themed party. The Sisterhood series was still popular at the time; the majority of us had read the books, seen the movies and identified with a character – and the newest freshman in our group loved Belle. It was also a way to integrate how we were going to stay in touch while far away at school – by writing letters, just like the Sisterhood girls did. Themes like this can also help you to plan fun activities and make party favors.

3.      Cooking for everyone.

Cooking for five or more can be a challenge – especially when everyone has unique tastes! Important things to remember are: if there are any vegetarians in your group and if anyone has any allergies (allergies can also determine if it will be an indoor or outdoor event). Pizza can be a quick and easy crowd pleaser, but if you are feeling more adventurous, try having a taco bar or baking a casserole, (just remember to maximize the recipes – make more than you think people will eat. They can always take some home!). As for dessert, make a light and simple treat – like the strawberry dessert mentioned HERE, or sundaes. Cupcakes are also a quick make, and having everyone decorate their own will make it a bonding activity!

4.      Making thoughtful gifts.

This is where having a strong theme helps. For the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants/Disney Princess example, I decorated envelopes for each of the girls with stickers, magazine photos and quotes that fit their personalities. We also compiled lists of everyone’s school addresses. Each girl gave her envelope to the girl who would write to her – this way, everyone would remember to write, and remember the finest and most memorable qualities of the girl they were writing to. If you’re having a “foodie” themed party, give each of the girls a small, decorated book with all of the recipes you used for the party, and start a recipe chain. These ideas are not only cute gifts, but ways of reminding each other to keep in touch. Need some ideas? Check out 101 Crafty Gifts.

5.      The week before.

Make a schedule of everything you will need to do the day of. Buy the decorations, plan the activities and make the food preparations. If you feel as though you will be swamped the day of the party, ask one or two of your girls for some help – for either the preparations before, or the clean-up after! If you still have not heard from a few of the girls, now is the time to give them another call – and to call everyone else to remind them of the date and times!

6.      The day of.

The big day has finally arrived – don’t stress it, you should be well prepared! If not, don’t worry. This is a time for you and your friends to celebrate your special bond. Make sure to thank everyone for coming throughout the day, to give a special thanks to those who helped out, and to remember those who could not make it.

7.      The days after – until break!

The following week, send a card or make a phone call to everyone, thanking them for coming, or making extra time for those who could not. During the semester, try to keep in touch with everyone – and plan something for when you will all be home for break!

 Debra Schreiber is a senior at Duquesne University where she studies journalism and Spanish. She loves cake decorating, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the television show So You Think You Can Dance, hitting the gym, and her lovely Alpha Sigma Tau sisters!

CL! Exclusive! Interview with Jessica Quirk Creator of “What I Wore” Blog

You wake up in the morning throw on a cute outfit and as you’re walking down the street you start getting compliments and then you want to make sure everyone on campus notices your cute outfit.

If you haven’t heard of Jessica Quirk she is the amazing creator of the “What I Wore” blog that showcases her amazing daily outfits (photos courtesy of her husband Adam). She posts her outfit creations on a daily basis and not only are they trendy and cute but they also mix a lot of couture items with vintage items to give them a fun twist!

 

What girl doesn’t want the whole world to see the amazing outfit she created?!

“I’m thrilled with where the blog has taken me, but no, I didn’t start it with these opportunities in mind. I sincerely just love getting dressed every day,” said Quirk.

Her blog has taken social media by storm and has now become a popular selling novel dubbed the “Cookbook for your Closet.”

Quirk’s Cinderella moment came when the PR girls from Kate Spade sent her the perfect, crème, satin heels accented with a ruffle for her wedding day in September of 2010.

“At this point, I don’t accept many of the gift offers I receive, simply because I don’t have the closet space,” said Quirk, “I’m so grateful to be able to work with so many talented designers be it through collaboration or attending their fashion shows.

While many of us look at celebrities like Lauren Conrad or Kim Kardashian for style inspiration, Jessica takes her own spin by looking at fictional characters and decades to create her ultra trendy outfits.

“I look more to fictional characters from decades past for inspiration.  I love the late seventies and the styling in Annie Hall and Love Story.  I also have a thing for the 50′s housewife, especially Betty Draper.”

 

Her style is not only unique and trendy but also classy to model a CL’s closet after. Jessica Quirk leaves us Classy Coeds with some words to live by:

“Really use the resources you have available to you.  Many other students donate or sell their gently used clothing and that’s a great place to shop when you’re on a budget.  I don’t think I found my real style until a few years after I graduated and had disposable income to use for that purpose.”

Every CL girl should check out Jessica Quirk’s book What I Wore: Four Seasons, One Closet, Endless Recipes for Personal Style.

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